FORECOMON 2026: Integrating Ground- and Remote Sensing-based Forest Monitoring for Resilient Forests

The 13th Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Conference will be held from 4–6 May 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The event is kindly hosted by the Croatian Forest Research Institute. Abstract submission is open until 15 November 2025. Guidelines: https://forecomon2026.thuenen.de/abstract-submission

European forests are increasingly exposed to climate change-driven stressors which, in combination with air pollution, severely impact ecosystem functioning and tree health, and increase mortality risks. This is particularly the case for forests in the Mediterranean region. These pressures threaten not only timber production but also essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water quality, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and recreation.

Long-term forest monitoring is indispensable for understanding the effects of global change on forest ecosystems, including their resilience to climate extremes and pollution. Over four decades, the interactive effects of air pollution, climate, site, and stand factors on forests have been monitored through ground-based investigation by the ICP Forests under the UNECE Air Convention. This produced pan-European, harmonized, standardized and centralized long-term data series, enabling scientists, stakeholders, and policy makers to assess the status, trends, and functioning of European forests in a changing environment.

Remote sensing technologies — from close-range to satellites, aerial imagery, and drone-based systems — can enhance the value of ground-based data generated as within ICP Forests. Already largely adopted by national forest inventories, the combination of remotely sensed data and ground-based observation allows for comprehensive monitoring of forest health, area, and structure and may provide proxies for ecosystem functioning over time. In this respect, the ICP Forests plots and data series can be an invaluable calibration and ground-truthing asset. Integrating these datasets with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides a powerful, large-scale overview of forest dynamics. Such an approach helps detect early-warning signals, anticipate future risks, plan conservation measures, and evaluate management policies.

The FORECOMON 2026 Conference will highlight the significance of ground-based long-term forest monitoring and explore the role of remote sensing technologies in tackling emerging challenges and opportunities. The event will showcase how ground based as well as integrated data can inform future monitoring activities and strengthen the resilience of European forests to meet multiple societal needs. Furthermore, the conference will promote the emerging ICP Forests working group on remote sensing.

FORECOMON 2026 will be followed by the 42nd Task Force Meeting of ICP Forests, taking place on 7 - 8 May 2026. A joint excursion is offered at 6 May 2026.

For more detailed information and registration (open in December 2025), please visit the conference website (https://forecomon2026.thuenen.de).

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